Mercury Toolkit: Information, Advice and Action Steps

With the March 15, 2005 announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency of new rules to limit the amount of mercury pollution from power plants, there's renewed attention to the dangers mercury poses, especially to pregnant women and children.

It's certain that the debate will rage on over whether the EPA's new rule goes far enough in its efforts to reduce the amount of mercury in the air. But the public focus on the issue provides a great opportunity for us all to learn more about mercury contamination, how to protect kids and families, and how to become engaged in the discussion over reducing mercury in the environment.

Connect for Kids has pulled together some resources to help.

How to Limit Exposure to Mercury

While airborne mercury pollution is a serious problem, most of us are exposed to mercury primarily through our diets. Fish is a major source of mercury, and careful attention to fish consumption is important for young children, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age.

This interactive map from the EPA gathers all current advisories on fish from different states in an easy-to-use feature.

The Children's Health Environmental Coalition has tips on purchasing and preparing fish to minimize the risks, and a 'safe fish chart.

The EPA's 2004 advisory for women who are or might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children also includes a list of FAQs on mercury.

The advocacy group Mercury Action believes the EPA guidelines don't do enough to protect children and mothers.

In addition to consuming mercury in our diets, we can also inhale mercury vapors and absorb it through the skin. Here's information on these other potential sources of mercury contamination.

The National Institutes of Health's Medline Plus has basic information on potential sources of mercury in the home, and basic first aid for when exposure occurs.

Don't use your vacuum cleaner to clean up a broken mercury thermometer! That's one of the practical tips on the EPA's Parents and Mercury page.

The agency's Schools and Mercury resource includes information about how to reduce the risks of mercury exposure in schools, how to teach kids about mercury, and advice for clean-up.

What's so Dangerous About Mercury?

The effect of mercury on human health is well-documented. Its impact on the brain is particularly devastating, but it can also cause kidney damage, respiratory problems, and even death.

This EPA resource explains the difference between the three types of mercury we encounter in our environment: methylmercury (in fish); elemental mercury (in thermometers); and other mercury compounds, both organic and inorganic. It also describes the health affects of exposure to each type.

The Environmental Working Group has put together a fascinating interactive called "The Body Burden" which provides information on the levels of various pollutants found in the blood of nine volunteers, including mercury.

Want to Take Action?

A number of organizations are active in educating the public about mercury, and in working to reduce the risks mercury poses to people and the environment.

Washington State's departments of ecology and health have put together an action plan for reducing mercury.

The Delta Institute, a non-profit active primarily in the Great Lakes region, has put together a "road map" for community action on mercury.

The Environmental Working Group argues that current FDA and EPA policies don't do enough to protect the public from mercury contamination.

Mercury ActionNOW, sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility, offers research, resources, and action steps.

Clear the Air is a national advocacy effort aimed at reducing power plant pollution.

The Mercury Policy Project maintains a list of local-area activists.


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